Chef turns up the heat in bid to clinch rosette hat-trick

Sep 11 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

A HOT young chef has turned up the heat in the kitchen of one of Wirral’s leading hotels as it strives to become a destination for fine dining across the region.

Louie Lawrence, 25, said he was aiming to raise standards at the hotel and just two months after starting has seen it receive a second AA Rosette.

Thornton Hall Hotel in Thornton Hough is one of Wirral’s leading hotels and manager Geoff Dale said winning their second AA rosette reinforced their reputation for being one of the best fine dining hotels in the region.

Louie’s appointment is the latest move to maintain their momentum, which also includes undertaking extensive refurbishment of its accommodation and dining facilities.

This comes on top of major invest-ment last Christmas which saw the opening of The Lodge, the region’s fastest-growing clinical destination spa.

Geoff Dale said Thornton Hall was “an ambitious hotel”, adding: “The region is crying out for fine dining venues. Louie’s arrival ensures we are able to offer an outstanding experience to all our clients, in our restaurant and our conference and leisure facilities.”

Louie has worked at former Good Food Guide restaurant of the year, Juniper in Altrincham, Simply Heathcotes in Manchester and Heathcotes in Longridge where he was instrumental in reclaiming its Michelin status.

He said the move to Thornton Hall was important for him because it is his first head chef job, and he is enjoying being given the freedom to make his mark by the hotel’s executive chef Brian Heron.

Louie, who specialises in classical French and modern English dining, said the job was a step forward and a step back for him, at the same time.

He said: “My main background is Michelin star restaurants, and three or four rosettes.

“Now we’re just raising the standards here really – nothing major, just creeping up slowly.”

But the award of a second rosette he says has been a huge morale boost for those working the kitchen.

He said: “Two months ago we only had one rosette – now we have two. That is good for business, but also good for the staff morale. The boys in the kitchen have a skip in their step, and feel proud they have been part of the team to achieve that.

“Our next big thing is getting past Christmas, and 12,000 people.

“Then in January, February we will be raising standards even more and aiming for three rosettes.”

But he admits it has not been all plain sailing, with what he describes as “a couple of casualties” as staff struggled with him pushing them hard for results.

He describes himself as “firm but fair”.

“I have been extremely lucky in my career, working with some of the most respected chefs in the business,” he said, although he has also had a few pots thrown at him by past mentors.

liammurphy

Celebrity chef in city for Food Lovers’ Festival

CELEBRITY chef Paul Heathcote will make a personal appearance at his Simply Heath-cotes restaurant in Liverpool this week as part of the city’s Food Lovers’ Festival.

A “Longridge Experience Night” is being held at Simply Heathcotes on Thurs-day and Friday when diners will be offered some of Paul’s most famous dishes.

The Longridge Restaurant, near Preston, was Paul’s first, and is now the flagship of his group of 13 restaurants across the North West.

Diners will also have the chance to meet Paul and hear about ingredients he uses.

Sarah McKercher, general manager of Simply Heathcotes Liverpool said: “We are delighted to be taking part in the Liverpool Food Lovers’ Festival and particularly pleased to be able to give people this unique opportun-ity to learn more about Paul Heathcote and his recipes. At the same time diners will be able to sample some of his most famous dishes.”

The cost of the evening is £45 and places can be booked on 0151 236 3536.

Liverpool Food Lovers’ Festival is being staged across the city culminating in a grand finale with various events, including a farmers market in Hope Street on Sunday.